Assessing global land use: Balancing consumption with sustainable supply

Posted on: 24 January 2014
By: mackene
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This report was produced by the International Resource Panel, a consortium of 27 internationally renowned resource scientists, 33 national governments and other groups, hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The findings of the International Resource Panel show that the world has witnessed an unprecedented sharp decline in terrestrial ecosystem services and functions during the past decades. Forests and wetlands have been converted to agricultural land to feed growing populations but at a cost that is not sustainable. The report attempts to answer the question: how much more land can be used to serve the growing demand for food and non-food biomass while keeping the consequences of land use change (e.g. deforestation) at a tolerable level?

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Has the environment programme of the LIFE Programme been effective?

Posted on: 24 January 2014
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The objective of the audit by the European Court of Auditors was to answer the question: ‘Does the LIFE “Environment” component of the LIFE programme3 operate effectively?’

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Environment at a glance 2013

Posted on: 16 January 2014
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This book from the OECD includes key environmental indicators that reflect environmental progress made since the early 1990s and thus contribute to measuring environmental performance. The report shows the progress OECD countries have made since the 1990s in addressing a range of environmental challenges. These include air and water pollution, waste management, and the protection of biodiversity and other natural resources.

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Natural hazards: Links between science and practice. Belgrade, 8-11 October 2013

Posted on: 16 January 2014
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This international event covered a wide range of natural disasters such as fires, floods, landslides, tornadoes, earthquakes, climate variability, and environmental pollution. A book of abstracts is available online. Articles are available in the Journal of the Geographical Institute „Jovan Cvijić” (Vol.63, Issue 3, 2013)

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Artificial light in the environment: policy update

Posted on: 8 January 2014
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This update sets out what steps Defra and other government departments have taken to address the issue of light pollution since the report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution was published. It also outlines how we plan to continue to keep the issue of artificial light under review in the future.

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How can land advisers incorporate ecosystem services thinking into their everyday practice?

Posted on: 8 January 2014
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This paper argues that new approaches to the valuation, appraisal and management of the natural environment promise to transform the way we manage land and pay for a range of goods and services.

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Fracking – Onshore unconventional gas, water and the environment. London, 6 November 2013

Posted on: 8 January 2014
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The aim of this meeting was to explore and understand the implications of fracking on water, emissions, and the wider environment. It  looked at the adequacy of the evidence base to help inform how regulation and mitigation measures might work in practice over the life cycle of production. Presentations are available online.

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Decision making in the twilight of uncertainty. Birmingham, 19 November 2013

Posted on: 8 January 2014
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The Living with Environmental Change (LWEC) Assembly 2013 aimed to demonstrate different approaches to addressing uncertainty around decision-making and how we can make better use of the evidence we have. Within this theme LWEC also wanted to demonstrate the progress within the partnership, share good practice, network with peers, showcase work and learn about new and existing tools. Presentations are available online together with a recording of the event.

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Greening dementia: A literature review of the benefits and barriers facing individuals living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and local greenspace

Posted on: 12 December 2013
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In 2012 Natural England commissioned Dementia Adventure (a Community Interest Company which connects people living with dementia, with nature and a sense of adventure) to review the existing evidence of the benefits and barriers facing people living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and their local green space. The report will be used as the basis to develop a partnership project to address the barriers, enable more people living with dementia to enjoy the benefits of the natural environment and therefore advance policy and practice in Natural England’s Outdoors for All programme.

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Status of black carbon monitoring in ambient air in Europe

Posted on: 10 December 2013
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This report from the European Environment Agency looks at the monitoring networks currently measuring black carbon, measurement methodologies and how this data is used. As the effects of this pollutant have become better understood in recent years, it is increasingly seen as an important target of environmental control. Authors of the report hope that the study will encourage more comprehensive monitoring of this pollutant, which is currently patchy.

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